Bekker has been the one highlight in a dismal Stormers season but he hurt his back badly in the loss against the Rebels and is out for between six and eight weeks. He is unlikely to play again before moving to Japan.

Bekker is one of several players unavailable for Saturday’s showdown with the Reds as the injury list reaches ridiculous proportions. Centre Juan de Jong is also out for a month.

Deon Fourie, Scarra Ntubeni, Pat Cilliers and Frans Malherbe are the latest to be ruled out because of injury and they join a lengthy list that includes De Kock Steenkamp, Michael Rhodes, Duane Vermeulen, Rynhardt Elstadt, Schalk Burger, Peter Grant and Jaco Taute.

Deon Carstens also retired midseason because of injury.

The Stormers host the Rebels at Newlands on Saturday and play the Kings twice in matches that could decide who finishes last in the South African Conference.